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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones

Bible 1God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel in visions and gave him messages to tell the rebellious Jews who had been captured by the Babylonians and taken to Babylon. God’s people were scattered and many had lost all hope of ever returning to their own land. They thought God had cut them off forever. Bible 2One day, Ezekiel had a vision in which the Spirit of God set him down in a valley. Bible 3The valley was full of disjointed, dry bones.

Bible 4Ezekiel wandered around the valley looking at the many scattered dry bones. God asked him, ‘Can these bones live?’ Ezekiel replied, ‘O Lord God, You know.’ God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones saying, ‘Hear the words of God, “I will put sinews and flesh on your bones, then breath life into you and you will live.”’ Bible 5Ezekiel spoke as God had commanded. There was a sudden rattling as the bones came together, bone by bone, to form skeletons. Bible 6As Ezekiel looked he saw sinews and flesh and skin start appearing on the bones until they were complete bodies.

Bible 7However, there was no life in the bodies that lay on the ground. God told Ezekiel to prophecy again saying, ‘The Lord says, “Come from the four winds O breath, and breathe on these dead people so that they may live.”’ Bible 8Ezekiel obeyed. The bodies started breathing and a vast army started coming to life and standing to their feet. Bible 9God explained to Ezekiel the meaning of the vision. ‘These bones are the people of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dry, our hope is gone and we are cut off.”’

Bible 10‘Now go to them and say, “The Lord says, ‘I will cause you to come out of your graves and put My Spirit in you. You will live again in your own land. Bible 11‘When this happens, you will know that the Lord has spoken and performed what He has promised.’”’ God did indeed keep His promise. After 70 years in captivity, God made it possible for the Jews to return to their own land. It was like a mighty dead army coming back to life. God always keeps His promises.

Ezekiel and the valley of dry bonesGod shows Ezekiel a vision in which a valley of dry bones comes to life.Ezekiel 37:1-14